Spiced Pear Cherry Bread

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray two 8x4-inch or 9x5-inch loaf pans with nonstick spray.

2. In a small bowl, toss together cherries and 1 tablespoon of the flour; set aside.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together the remaining flour, baking powder, allspice and salt. Make a well in center of the flour mixture; set aside.

4. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with a fork; stir in the sugar, oil, milk (or pear nectar), and vanilla. Add the egg mixture all at once to the flour mixture; stir just until moistened (the batter should be lumpy). Fold in the cherry mixture, chopped pears and nuts.

5. Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake smaller loaf pans for 60 to 65 minutes or larger pans for 55 to 60 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the centers comes out clean.

6. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove the bread from the pans. Cool completely on wire racks. Wrap and store overnight before slicing. If desired, serve with the Spiced Cream Cheese Butter.

7. In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, butter, vanilla and allspice. Beat with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add the powdered sugar; beat well.  Drizzle on the loaves, or spread on individual slices as desired.